Summer is the time to hit the road on vacation. Here are some products that will make traveling a little smoother, direct you if you take a wrong turn, and let you capture your experiences on film, er, SD card.

AAA Car KitAAA makes (or rather, "approves" with its name and logo) a number of car kits for different situations. There is the commuter car kit, first aid kit, safety kit, jump start kit. The 77-piece Warrior Road Assistance Kit (pictured) will turn you into a genuine MacGyver should you ever find yourself in a tight spot. Its handy 13.5" x 10" x 6" case includes: a AAA Emergency Car Care Guide, heavy duty booster cables, a 250 PSE air compressor with gauge, an LED hand-crank flashlight, a three-piece fleece set (cap, gloves, scarf), a digital tire gauge, a reflective triangle, a multifunction tool, cotton gloves, an emergency poncho, flat head and Phillips screwdrivers, an emergency whistle, a roll of duct tape, bungee cords, shop cloths, cable ties and 45 pieces of first aid gear. The Warrior Road Assistance Kit retails for $100. A variety of AAA travel kits are available at Target, Walmart, and www.survival-supply.com, but not at AAA locations.

Wrist RocketWhy squint when you look at your digital watch? The giant 45mm display of the Wrist Rocket watch is great for anyone else who's tired of struggling to see their digital watch but does not want to switch to a traditional watch. The Wrist Rocket uses a dot matrix-style display, which is generally easier to read and more aesthetically pleasing than a traditional 7-segment digital display. The Wrist Rocket retails for about $65 and is available at the Cadence Watch online store (www.cadencewatch.com) or at Amazon.com. There's even a kitschy red rocket-shaped watch display stand available for $7.99, which holds the watch upright at your bedside or on a table for easy reading.

FlipCage tripodThis handy camera gadget was designed by world-famous photographer Gary Fong. It attaches to your camera, forming a protective "cage" around it. The cage folds out to become a mini-tripod that allows you to shoot at multiple angles with no shaking. The FlipCage works with small cameras, particularly the flat rectangular kind that fit in a pocket. If your camera is up to 4 inches wide, 2.5 inches high and 1 inch deep, it will fit. The FlipCage comes in multiple colors, and includes a 36-inch neck strap. It can be ordered at Amazon.com or garyfongestore.com for about $20, or purchased at camera stores. There is also a FlipCage model for larger cameras ($20), and for iPhones ($40).

BackTrack Point-5 GPSThe BackTrack Point-5 by Bushnell is GPS made simple. It has all the smarts of a regular GPS, but with the unique ability to help you get back to where you started from without having to enter an address. It's perfect for everyday situations like finding your car in a crowded parking lot, or returning to your favorite hunting or fishing spot. You simply press a button at your "starting point" and then follow the directional arrows on the screen when you want to go back. You can enter up to five locations (no coordinates necessary). The BackTrack also gives time, temperature, altitude and includes a compass. Retail price: $131.95 at shopbushnell.com, but can be found for less at amazon.com and Best Buy.

Motorola Talkabout 2-Way RadiosThe latest Motorola Talkabout Radios (model MR350R, pictured) have a 35-mile range, which makes them perfect for camping, hiking, theme parks with the grandkids, or simply communicating when a cell phone just doesn't work. Today's version of the walkie-talkie includes lots of extras. This model includes a NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) weather channel, a flashlight and a mini-USB charging port. It has phone-like features such as a vibrating ringer, and hands-free operation. The Talkabout MR350R retails for $80 a pair at sport and outdoor retailers and electronic stores.